Marcus Collins dealing with 'racist and homophobic abuse'

X Factor sensation Marcus Collins has revealed that despite his growing levels of fame and respect, he is still receiving abuse phonecalls from racist and homophobic individuals.

The rising star admitted the shocking news to the Daily Star Sunday and explained that he won't give in and change his number because that will mean the people who keep targeting him have won:

"I'm still getting abusive calls. I've been advised to change my number but I don't see why I should. If I do it's like they've won. I get them a few times a week and it's usually when they're drunk. They give me racist or homophobic abuse."

"Sometimes they say stuff about me and my boyfriend and other times they just breathe heavily down the phone. Management advised me to bring in lawyers but I'd prefer to laugh it off. Sometimes they don't even withhold their number."

Collins is set to unveil his debut album on March 12 and the lead single, a cover of 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes, will come out on March 4. He added to the newspaper:

"There are only three covers. There are songs I've written with Gary Barlow, a song he wrote for me and other originals. The one Gary wrote is an up-tempo track called 'Innocence', which will surprise a lot of people. It's still possible that he might feature on the album in some way, but there won't be any duets."